June Firing

Well, we squeezed a small firing on June 9th, tried to get the our large pit, but it was a fun challenge in the 4x4.  We opted to continue to work on our firing in fire pits.  They are much smaller, and easier to control, however we do not reach the same temperature range as we do in the large pit, but is much, much faster.  I've decided to call this new firing "Fire Pit Pottery", since it is faster and much lower temp, we increased the amount of colorants to compensate.  Each piece is individually wrapped in paper with the colorants next to the piece and placed in the fire pit.  once the pit is full with fill the gaps with sawdust and small pieces of wood and light it up.

The results are darker than our normal pit fired pieces, but still have the complex layers and patterns.  We did a couple last year this way because of the drought, but have decided to keep the process and continue to play with it.

Stoneware

Recently I did another stoneware(cone 5) firing, mainly to complete some custom orders/special requests. this typically not something I do often, but find myself doing more and more of to increase revenues.

This last firing I continued to play with Amaco Potter Choice glazes, and am really liking the results. Very smooth and easy to apply, and doesn't run. I did play a little with layering the glazes over one of my DPS Standbys and the results were wanting me to play more.

I posted pics of what I call the tri-batter-bowls, basically a bowl distorted in to a triangle shape, has 3 spouts and up to 3 handles. I use a different glaze on each side with overlaps in the spouts. The two are sold. the 3rd was a test piece, but will most likely be out for the Open House in December. Kiesha wants a few more also by the open house. given the feedback on both Facebook and Google+, I just might have to do it. It also in encouraging me to delve back into stoneware. I have been toying with it all year, but I think I need to narrow down my color spectrum 1st.

Until next time, take care. I attached the photo of the tri batter bowls incase you don't follow FB or G+

Firing photos

Here are a couple of the pieces finished over the last weekend. It was great to get out and fire again. I hope to be doing another one in a couple weeks.

Recent firings

Although it is January and it is cold in South Dakota, I was able to fire a couple pieces. Here are a couple of them. One is a recent Stoneware load. Chad & Kiesha

Firing Results

Here are some of the results from recent firings. Couple from the Pit at the beginning of the month and on Wednesday we did a quick "burn ring" pit. It is a hybrid of a pit and barrel firing. If the weather cooperates we will try to do a couple more of those firings also I will need to test my new clay body. If you have any questions/comments let me know.

November firing pics

Here are a couple photos of the firing we did couple weekends ago. We forgot the camera on firing day, so we didn't get any before shots. Once I get them all cleaned up and waxed I will post a couple more photos.

Sidewalk Arts

The weatherman cannot make up his mind on what is going to be like so I guess I will bring my Weather Rock. Hope to see everyone this weekend in downtown Sioux Falls for Sidewalk Arts. Up in Smoke Pottery will be in booth 71, which will be just outside the east Pavilion doors unless that changes before we set up. Here's a couple pics of some of the recent work that we will have down there.

Up in Smoke in the News!

Just found a photo of me on the Rock County Star Hearld website from Art Rocks. It will be the 2nd photo from the left.

Here is the link:
http://www.star-herald.com/detail/19271.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=photos&town_id=

Pit Fire part 1

I have been asked at recent show to show a few photos of the process. I know some people do not believe I use white clay, but you can see for yourself in picture #2. These are from the firing we did on 8/24/2009.

Here is a pit, yes it truly is a hole in the ground.

This is the base layer, organics such as leaves, grass, etc plus sawdust and the first colorants.

The pieces are set in the hole, notice a few paper bag saggars in the mix.

Now add some wood, and some more wood....

light it up and watch it burn.

Pit Fire part 2

Once the fire is going we let it go. We watch to make sure the grass doesn't start burning outside the pit area. This fire was very hot, the dark orange flames put the temperature of the fire between 1800-2000 degrees (according to a old book from 1905). The pots are not at that temperature just the flames at their base.

Here are photos of some of the pieces, notice there is not a lot of color yet. The pots go in white, initially turn black from the smoke and as they heat the black burns off at about 1000-1200
degrees. The clay will remain white until it cools more of the color becomes apparent.

Pit Fire part 3

Above is the the pit when we went back in the morning.

Here are some of the pieces out of the pit. They will be washed and waxed later.

I Hope you enjoyed the photos of our recent firing. It was not our best for color but you at least get an idea of the process. Thanks for looking and feel free to comment or send me and email with any questions.

Chad

Recent Firings 1

Recent Firings 2

It has been a busy week, here at Up in Smoke Pottery! We finally have caught up cataloging the first few firings. We have also packed up for Buffalo Days this weekend in Luverne, MN. We will be in the City Park from 9-4 on 6/6/09 for Arts in the Park. Hope to see you there. If I have done it correctly the photo box on the upper left side should be updated as well in case you want to see more of our work. I am also posting a couple pics of recent work.

Pit Fire Results

Well, we finally had time to clean and seal the pieces from the last pit fire. Here are a couple of the photos from the pit and some of the finished pieces. Thanks for looking.

Pieces in the flames, they appear white now, but the colors appear as they cool.

Here are some of the results....Remember all colors are derived from vapors getting trapped in the pores of the clay while it is hot. There are no glazes of any kind.